Acid water (low PH)
About Calcite
Calcite is a crushed and screened white marble media which can inexpensively be used to neutralize acidic or low pH waters to a neutral, less corrosive effluent.
Calcite is a naturally occurring calcium carbonate media. One of the advantages of Calcite is its self-limiting property. When properly applied, it corrects pH only enough to reach a non-corrosive equilibrium. It does not overcorrect under normal conditions. Upon contact with calcite, acidic waters slowly dissolve the calcium carbonate to raise the pH which reduces potential leaching of copper, lead and other metals found in typical plumbing systems. Periodic backwashing will prevent packing, reclassify the bed and maintain high service rates. Depending on pH, water chemistry and service flow, the Calcite bed will have to be periodically replenished as the calcite is depleted.
As the Calcite's calcium carbonate neutralizes the water, it will increase hardness and a softener may become necessary after the neutralizing filter.
Advantages of Calcite Filters for Neutralization
- Calcite is a Naturally Occurring Material
- Low Uniformity coefficient for maximum contact for controlled pH correction.
- Inexpensive
- Slower Reacting for controlled pH correction
What causes acidic water?
Rain is made acidic when the rain drops dissolve carbon dioxide from the atmosphere on the way to the earth. When the rain water permeates the ground table, limestone normally brings the pH up over 7. In the absence of limestone (which causes hard water), the pH remains low.
What if I don't do anything to correct the pH?
The acidity of the water will dissolve copper or metal piping from the inside, causing pin hole leaks which can be expensive to repair. This may appear years after the piping system has been installed.
The other issue is that low pH will dissolve iron. A water softener or iron filter will not remove the iron since the acidity strips the iron off of the media bed that was intended to remove it.
Solutions?
- Install a Calcite Filter if your pH is below 7 but above 5.5 and your water hardness is 10 grains or less.
- If your water pH is below 5.5 and above 4.5 and your water hardness is 10 grains or less, then you can apply a media called Corosex.